Water On Wheels
The Water on Wheels (WOW) Program offers free lessons for kindergarten through 8th grade, public and private schools, and informational presentations at community events throughout Eastern Washington. WOW lessons include lively, hands-on demonstrations, educational games, and grade-level appropriate materials to give students a better understanding of water, soil, and energy conservation. Teachers are able to have just one lesson presented, or a series of conservation-minded lessons presented over a period of time. All lessons are aligned with Washington State Science Learning Standards and can be easily integrated into lesson plans and curriculum. All lessons are age and grade level appropriate and compliment various Foss and STC Science Kits. To schedule a Water on Wheels lesson in your classroom, please contact Riley LaMie.
Lessons
Rock Exploration (K–2nd)
Explore various rocks by comparing properties and looking for evidence of life. Students will gain an understanding of how rocks are formed and their importance. Students create their own pet rocks.
Water Everywhere: (K–2nd)
Identify where water is found in our everyday lives. Describe the importance of water for humans, animals and plants. Discover why water is an important resource to conserve and protect. Students create water conservation magnets and pledges.
Exploring Habitats: (1st–2nd)
Learn about habitats and their importance to all living things. Students will discover how water and soil are integral components of every habitat. Students design and draw their own animal habitats.
Amazing Soils: (1st–5th)
Differentiate between three soil textures (sand, silt and clay) based on particle size and permeability through a hands-on demonstration. Discover how soil is made. Discuss soil properties and their importance to farmers and community members.
Water in Our World:(3rd–6th)
Explore the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection through classroom participation. Students create their own terrariums to model the water cycle.
Incredible Journey Adapted from Project WET, 2007: (3rd–6th)
Learn how water circulates through the water cycle as it changes between a liquid, solid, and gas. Students will act as water molecules as they chart a path through the water cycle, giving them a better understanding of evaporation, precipitation, storage, seepage and flow.
Does Watershed? Adapted from Branching Out, Project WET, 2007: (3rd-6th)
Discover what a watershed is and how we affect the watershed we live in. Students create individual paper watersheds and learn about the impacts of land planning, pollutants, and floods.
Enviroscape Model: (3rd–6th)
Observe and demonstrate point and non-point pollution, including garbage, waste water sludge, sediment and nutrients though a large hands-on watershed model. Students will brainstorm pollution solutions and test them on the model.
Transform Energy: (3rd–7th)
Discover the importance of renewable and non-renewable energy. Learn about solar, wind and hydroelectric power. Students demonstrate how hydropower works and become captivated by the sun's important role in all energy forms.
Groundwater Flow Model: (4th–8th)
Using an accurate model, see how groundwater moves below the Earth's surface. Students will learn about the importance of groundwater in our area and about local risks for contamination. Students will then discover how they can protect and conserve groundwater.
Terrific Trees: (K–6th)
Learn about tree classification, identification, structure, photosynthesis and conservation. Younger students will participate in a seed survival activity, and older students will engage in an activity designed to highlight tree growth and survival.
